Treatment for ADHD/Autism: “Autism Is Not Hopeless.”

Dr. Nelson Mañé Chiropractic Neurologist with a sub specialty training in Childhood Neuro-behavioral disorders who treats ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Tampa with a sensory motor integration hemispheric approach stated “Many parents are under the impression that ASD are genetic and therefore to expect improvement in the child is foolish and that the situation is hopeless.” In Fact, much of the current scientific literature points the cause of ASD toward Epigenetic and not Genetics. If ASD were truly caused by genetics then there would not be any improvements in the patients. “I think we have all heard of an autistic child who improved with dietary changes, visual or auditory programs, etc. How could this be possible if ASD are genetic?” The genetic make up of a person can not be changed. An example of this would be that one can’t change the color of their eyes. Secondly, if autism is genetic and statistics show that those with autism rarely marry or reproduce (pass on their genes); how can these conditions increase in epidemic proportions? There is no such thing as a genetic epidemic. In epigenetic the genes don’t change, but the switches on the genes can be turned on or off. Wikipedia defines epigenetic as follows:

In biology, the term epigenetic refers to changes in gene expression caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence. These changes may remain through cell divisions for the remainder of the cell’s life and may also last for multiple generations. However, there is no change in the underlying DNA sequence of the organism, instead, non-genetic factors cause the organism’s genes to behave differently.

In plain English, ADHD and Autism are not genetic but epigenetic and therefore can be treated. If these conditions were genetic then there is no hope. But we believe they are not genetic but epigenetic and there is hope.

Let’s go to the scientific literature from Fred Previc:

Med Hypotheses. 2007;68(1):46-60. Epub 2006 Sep 7.
Prenatal influences on brain dopamine and their relevance to the rising incidence of autism.
Previc FH.
10906 Whispering Wind, San Antonio, TX 78230, USA. fprevic@sbcglobal.net
The incidence of autism has risen 10-fold since the early 1980s, with most of this rise not explainable by changing diagnostic criteria. The rise in autism is paradoxical in that autism is considered to be one of the most genetically determined of the major neuro-developmental disorders and should accordingly either be stable or even declining. Because a variety of epigenetic influences, particularly those occurring during the prenatal period, can override or masquerade as genetic influences, these should be considered as prime contributors to the recent increase of autism. Prenatal influences on dopamine activity are especially well-documented, including the effects of maternal psychosocial stress, maternal fever, maternal genetic and hormonal status, use of certain medications, urban birth, and fetal hypoxia. All of these factors have been implicated in the genesis of autism, which is characterized by a “hyperdopaminergic” state based on evidence from monkey and human behavioral studies, pharmacological studies in humans, and a left-hemispheric predominance of both dopamine and autistic-like symptoms. Chronically high maternal levels of dopamine caused by the pressures of increasingly urbanized societies and by changing maternal demographics such as increased workforce participation, educational achievement level, and age at first birth, may be especially significant epigenetic contributors to the recent autism rise.
PMID: 16959433 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Dr. Mane offers one on one consultations as well as Group Seminars for parents and children who suffer from ASD. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation or to attend a seminar please call 813-935-4744.

For more information about Dr. Nelson Mane, D.C. and his treatment approach for ASD go to http://www.manecenter.com/ADHD.htm.